Almudena | Embroidered Tulle Midi Dress with Velvet Bands

There are party dresses you see from across the room and dresses you see up close. Almudena is the second kind: from a distance it is an elegant black midi, and as you get closer the embroidered flowers, the tulle and the velvet bands appear. It is the dress for cocktails, a gala dinner and an afternoon wedding.

The floral embroidery. Black flowers embroidered onto nude tulle. That contrast is the whole dress: the tulle disappears at a distance and the flowers look as though they are floating on skin.

The velvet bands. They cross the skirt horizontally, black and matte against the shine of the embroidery. As well as decorating, they break the skirt into sections and give the swing some body.

The boat neckline. It opens from shoulder to shoulder and leaves the collarbones bare without showing any cleavage. It is the most stately neckline there is and the one that suits broad shoulders best.

The cut. A fitted bodice to the waist and an A-line skirt opening from there. It marks where it should and skims everything else.

The lining. Fully lined. The tulle is left bare only at the edge of the hem, where it is deliberately sheer.

Key Details

Raised floral embroidery: black flowers on nude tulle.

Velvet bands: horizontal, on bodice and skirt.

Boat neckline: shoulder to shoulder, no cleavage.

Sleeveless: a high armhole, the arm left clear.

A-line skirt: fitted at the top, full at the bottom.

Back zip.

Fully lined.

Midi length: mid-calf.

Fabric with no stretch: it holds its shape and does not give.

Perfect for: cocktails, an afternoon wedding, a gala dinner, the theatre and New Year's Eve.

What to wear underneath

The boat neckline and high armhole cover the strap, so a normal bra works. It is lined and shows nothing through except at the edge of the hem, which is tulle on purpose.

Size guide

XS to 2XL. True to size. The bodice is fitted and has no stretch, so getting it right matters here: if you are between two, take the larger one — a zipped dress with no stretch does not forgive.

Not sure? Write to us with your bust, waist and hip measurements and we will tell you your size before you buy.

Care

Dry clean. The embroidery and velvet do not take kindly to the machine or to being wrung out. Hang on a wide hanger so the bodice keeps its shape.

Colour may vary slightly depending on the lighting in the photographs.

Free shipping and 30 days to exchange or return. If it is not your size, we will sort it out.